The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,31
it across the table when he finished. Taking a deep breath he sat across from her, filling his own plate with the sweet treat.
Rachel slowed her binging and watched Gabe as he poked at the food on his plate, never actually taking a bite. “Not hungry?” she asked.
“I guess not.” Gabe replied solemnly, his mind still debating if he should tell Rachel of Uri’s visit.
“Is everything alright?” Rachel asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Yeah. Of course it is. I mean— well — it’s just, never mind.” Gabe’s anguish became evident to Rachel as he spoke.
Reaching out across the table and placing a hand on top of Gabe’s, she reassured him. “It’s all right, whatever it is, you can tell me.”
Gabe thought how she would have made an excellent Guardian. She didn’t even possess any super powers, yet somehow by just her touch she managed to calm him. Gabe smiled, “It’s nothing.”
Not satisfied with his answer, Rachel continued to push for the truth. “Your face doesn’t look like nothing is bothering you. Why don’t you want to tell me? Is something wrong?”
“No — of course not.” Gabe reassured Rachel. “I just don’t want you to panic.”
“Gabe, really? I would think after all this time you’d know I’m not the type to panic easily. I’m in this too; you need to tell me what’s going on.” Rachel demanded.
Gabe sighed. She was right; Gabe had no right to keep information from her. If she decided to leave the valley and go to Iron Gate after he told her, then maybe that was what was best for them both.
“It’s Uri.” Gabe began.
Rachel gasped, clearly assuming the news must be bad. “What’s wrong? Is he hurt? Oh my God, Gabe. Is he dead?”
“No— nothing like that.” Gabe answered, attempting to reassure Rachel. “He came back last night.”
“What? Where is he?” Rachel said looking around the room. “Is he outside?”
“Not exactly.” Gabe replied
“What’s going on, Gabe?” Rachel asked, growing tired of the back and forth.
“He was only here for a few minutes before he left again.” Gabe explained.
“I don’t understand? Why didn’t he take me with him?”
“I told him you needed to stay here with me.” Gabe replied flatly.
Rachel looked stunned by his answer. “What? I don’t understand. Why would you tell him that, Gabe?”
Gabe wished he had phrased his responses better, it was clear Rachel was very quickly becoming highly agitated with him. “I promise, everything is fine, if you would just let me explain.”
“Fine, explain.” she snapped, dropping her fork on the table. With crossed arms she glared at him.
“There is nothing to be upset about, you’ll see. You were asleep when Uri got here. He didn’t want to wake you, that’s all. He told me that he has been looking for a safe place to take you, but every place is too hot. He said he could take you back to Iron Gate for now.”
“Wait, I thought they said Iron Gate wasn’t safe?” Rachel questioned.
“He spoke to Michael and they didn’t want to involve me any further. They said they think they could keep you safe there until something else can be figured out.”
“Oh,” Rachel interjected, her expression revealing confusion. “When am I leaving?”
“You’re not; I told him you could stay here.” Once the words left his lips, Gabe held his breath, unsure of what her response would be.
“Why would you do that?”
“Rachel, I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“You saved my life.” Gabe argued.
Picking her fork back up and returning to her pancakes, Rachel dismissed his thankfulness. “I didn’t do anything more than anyone else in my position would.
“Well, I don’t exactly agree with you. I think you did a lot and I am not letting you go back to Iron Gate when you will be perfectly safe here.”
“Nonsense, you’re not going to put yourself in further peril at my expense. Is there a way to contact someone there and let them know I’m coming?”
“Hold on, slow down.” Gabe felt the discussion spiraling out of control. He chased the words that would keep her there; make her stay with him. “I want you to stay. I like having you here.”
“What? Oh my, Gabe Harwood, are you actually giving me a compliment?” Rachel mocked, her cheek puffed out and stuffed with food.
“Are you kidding? You’re so much cheaper than any cook or housekeeper I could get.” Gabe replied, bursting out in laughter.
“Oh no you didn’t!” Rachel squealed, pulling back her fork as if it were a tiny catapult and flinging a sticky